Authors #149 Strand with cutting trees and #150 Huddy with saving a tree

The author, Keith Strand, recounts his grandfather's story of cutting down a stand of trees for firewood during a blizzard filled winter season in Colorado but keeping one tree for the future in Grandfather's Christmas Tree, illustrated by Thomas Locker.

Delia Huddy saves a Christmas tree in the book The Christmas Eve Tree illustrated by Emily Sutton.  A homeless boy takes home an unwanted Christmas tree because its branches are crooked and bent.  He spends what little money he has on some decorations for the tree, bringing some happiness to those around him.  The tree finds a new home when the street custodian plants the tree in an abandoned part of the local park.

Sunday Randomness #39: Pigeon books in Chinese and English by Mo Willems and two new candy bars from TJ's

Mica could read and understand most of the Chinese version of The Pigeon Wants a Puppy! by Mo Willems.  Mo Willems has written some great books for early readers that are still funny for adults too! He has a great website with links to games and merchandise and books at:  http://www.mowillems.com/

Two new candy bars that we found at Trader Joe's.  Quasar Bar with "whipped chocolate nougat and rich caramel enrobed in dark chocolate" and Boffo Bar with "peanuts, caramel, and nougat enrobed in milk chocolate".  They were fine but nothing spectacular.  I thought the Quasar was a bit like 3 musketeer with caramel and the boffo was a bit like how baby ruth use to taste before they changed the recipe.

Authors #147 McGhee shines bright with a little star angel and #148 Waldman takes a trip with a snowflake

 Author Alison McGhee and illustrator Peter H. Reynolds bring the story of a little angel and her gift to the Christ Child in Star Bright. Alison writes for all ages and you can see more of her books at https://alisonmcghee.com/books/  Of course Peter H. Reynolds is known for his own style of books like Ish and The Dot and more which can be found at http://www.peterhreynolds.com/

Do you wonder what happens to a snowflake after it melts?  Find out in this wintry wonderland of water book by Neil Waldman titled The Snowflake: A Water Cycle Story.

Authors #145 Jan Brett with a Bear/Troll tale and #146 Joyce Meyer presents a Christmas Pageant

Trolls take on a "kitty" in this turnabout tale by Jan Brett entitled Who's That Knocking on Christmas Eve?  Jan Brett illustrates her books with gorgeous detail and exquisite side margin paintings.  Read more about Jan Brett at: http://www.janbrett.com/index.html where she also has thousands of free activity and coloring pages.

The Perfect Christmas Pageant by Joyce Meyer and illustrated by Mary Sullivan is a whimsical look at how a production doesn't have to be perfect to be just right.

Author #143 David Milgrim introduces Santa Duck and Author #144 Gunter Spang with a manager story

 In The Ox and the Donkey by Gunter Spang and illustrated by Loek Koopmans, two animals bond when a baby needs their help.

Duck needs to find Santa to tell him what he wants for Christmas but what happens when the other animals mistake Duck for Santa?  Find out in Santa Duck by David Milgrim.  See more of Mr. Milgrim's books at his website: http://www.davidmilgrim.com/index.html